A Special First Birthday Cake Smash
When mom reached to set up a first birthday cake smash session for her little boy, she mentioned that her family was just moving to Philadelphia from New York that following weekend. Her little boy was turning one within the next few weeks and she wanted to document this very special time! We went ahead and started planning the cake smash to happen before his first birthday celebration in a few short weeks.
Mini Family Photography Session
The HTP cake smash sessions are always extra fun when we start the portrait session with the whole family portraits or just baby shots outside the studio in Newtown. This gives the baby time to warm up with me before we smash the cake. We do a quick 10-15 minute session around the perimeter of the studio. I have a few special spots that I always use for first birthdays. My absolute favorite spot is somewhere along the tree-lined path along the building – depending on where the sun is. That radio flyer bike is my icebreaker with almost every one-year-old boy. They love to sit on top and hit the horn! This always yields great smiles.
Other Favorite 1st Birthday Poses
A must do favorite pose for all first birthday celebrations is the walking in mom, dad or big sibling’s hands. This gives me the chance to capture exactly how tall they are during their 12-month mark. Mainly my goal is to capture the joy between mom and dad and their little one for their first birthday.
Thank you so much, mom and dad, for giving me the opportunity to document you all during this very special time in your lives – as you transition to Philly as well as R’s special first birthday! It was a pleasure.
A favorite moment, when dad holds the birthday boy up in the air for a big smile!
It was a beautiful day in Newtown! 
I’m so happy they decided to include their dog in a few family portraits! The family pet always brings extra love to the photo shoot! 
One of my favorite shots here, R with his mama for some classic portraits. I know she will cherish these for a lifetime
The photo above (on the right) will be hanging beautifully on the walls of their home downtown Philadelphia in a 16×20 to bring them joy each waking day! I have a thing for wall art!
More HTP cake smash and first birthday photography sessions!
Heather Thomas is an award-winning family and newborn photographer serving Philadelphia and Ocean City, NJ. She holds a Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in newborn, children and family photography. Known for her organic and simple style, Heather’s work has been featured in magazines and online publications around the country.
